Massachusetts · Cape & Islands
FALSE ALBACORE FISHING
IN NANTUCKET
Nantucket is a solid destination for false albacore fishing, with good fishing in September, October. Book a charter and target false albacore with local experts.
About False Albacore Fishing in Nantucket
False albacore — also called little tunny or fat alberts — are the premier light-tackle gamefish of the fall run from North Carolina to Massachusetts. Their incredible speed, long runs, and surface-feeding blitzes make them a fly fishing and light-tackle favorite.
False Albacore — also called Little Tunny or "Fat Alberts" — are the premier light-tackle gamefish of the fall run from North Carolina to Massachusetts. These small tuna relatives are incredibly fast, making screaming runs that peel hundreds of yards of line in seconds. They feed on the surface in visible "blitzes," crashing through schools of baitfish (bay anchovies, silversides) with explosive surface feeds. While not considered great table fare (dark, bloody flesh), false albacore are prized by fly fishers and light-tackle enthusiasts as one of the most exciting fish to catch on artificial lures.
Scientific name: Euthynnus alletteratus
False Albacore Seasonal Calendar — Nantucket
Month-by-month availability for false albacore in Nantucket, MA.
How to Catch False Albacore in Nantucket
Techniques & Bait
Casting Deadly Dick metal lures, Hogy epoxy jig sticks, and small Kastmasters into surface-feeding blitzes is the go-to technique. Small soft plastic jigs (white or silver Albie Snax) on 1/4-1/2 oz jig heads retrieved at high speed just below the surface are deadly. Fly fishing with small (size 1-2) Surf Candy, Clouser Minnow, and Albie Whip patterns on intermediate lines is considered the ultimate fall fly fishing experience. The key is matching the small baitfish (2-3 inch bay anchovies) — oversized lures and flies are rejected.
Recommended Tackle
Light to medium spinning rod (7 ft), 3000-4000 reel, 10-15 lb braid, 15-20 lb fluorocarbon leader. Fly: 8-9 weight rod, large arbor reel with 200+ yards of backing, intermediate or clear-tip line. Light tackle maximizes the fight.
Best Nearshore Fishing Spots in Nantucket
Top spots where local captains target false albacore and other nearshore species.
Nantucket Shoals
Nantucket Shoals extend miles east and south of the island in a vast network of shallow sand bars and channels where powerful currents churn the water into standing rips. Striped bass, bluefish, bonito, and false albacore converge on the shoals during the fall migration, creating some of the most exciting light-tackle fishing in the Northeast. The shoals' remote location and treacherous currents limit access to experienced boaters, but the fishing rewards are extraordinary.
Tuckernuck Rips
The rips between Nantucket and Tuckernuck Island are created by tidal currents racing through the shallow passage, churning up baitfish and attracting striped bass, bluefish, and bonito. The rips produce best during strong tidal flow when surface turbulence signals active fish feeding below. Boat anglers drift through the rips casting plugs, jigs, and flies for aggressive fish that compete for baitfish in the confused water.
Smith Point Surf
Smith Point on Nantucket's southwest corner faces the open Atlantic, and its beach offers outstanding surf-casting for striped bass, bluefish, and false albacore during the fall run. The beach's sand bar and trough system creates a defined feeding lane where migrating fish travel along the shore. Dawn and dusk sessions at Smith Point during October produce some of the finest surf-fishing on the island.
Great Point Rip
The Great Point Rip forms where Nantucket Sound currents collide with the Atlantic Ocean off the island's northern tip, creating a powerful tidal rip that attracts striped bass, bluefish, and false albacore. The rip is fishable from both boats and shore at the point itself, with the strongest action during peak tidal flow. Fall runs of false albacore through the Great Point Rip draw fly-fishers from across New England.
Other Species in Nantucket
More fish you can target while visiting Nantucket.
False Albacore Fishing in Nantucket — FAQ
False Albacore fishing in Nantucket is productive during September, October.
False Albacore fishing charters in Nantucket are typically nearshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Casting Deadly Dick metal lures, Hogy epoxy jig sticks, and small Kastmasters into surface-feeding blitzes is the go-to technique. Small soft plastic jigs (white or silver Albie Snax) on 1/4-1/2 oz jig heads retrieved at high speed just below the surface are deadly. Fly fishing with small (size 1-2) Surf Candy, Clouser Minnow, and Albie Whip patterns on intermediate lines is considered the ultimate fall fly fishing experience. The key is matching the small baitfish (2-3 inch bay anchovies) — oversized lures and flies are rejected.
No — when you book a charter in Nantucket, your captain provides all required Massachusetts fishing licenses as part of the trip.
False Albacore regulations in Massachusetts include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting False Albacore in Nantucket, you may also catch Striped Bass, Bluefin Tuna, Bluefish, Black Sea Bass, Fluke. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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